Group Turns To Residents For Help

The Bedford Township movement two moms started to maintain the safety and educational levels provided by two Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies is about $7,000 short its next goal.

The moms want to present another $20,000 to the Bedford Public Schools Board of Education on Oct. 1.

“While we have had some families in the Bedford Public Schools district contribute, we need a lot more if we are to reach $40,000 and make sure both deputies are in the schools through the end of December and beyond,” said Amy Driehorst, co-founder of Bedford Students Protected through Combining Area Resources for Educational Safety, or BSP CARES.

Mrs. Driehorst said in a news release she and her co-founder Regina Whalen are hopeful that families will step forward with additional donations.

“Bedford families need to come forward now if they really want to keep the same safety and educational services we’ve become used to through the two liaison officers,” she said.

Mrs. Whalen said there are no more major fundraisers planned.

“Business leaders and many individuals have stepped forward to help raise money through our June golf outing and the reverse raffle/auction we had a few weeks ago,” she said. “But we can’t keep organizing these major events and expect to have the same level of support from local businesses. We simply need more grassroots support from the families whose children benefit from these officers.”

Since the group was formed in mid-February, BSP CARES has raised about $33,000 toward its first-year goal of $80,000. The group was formed just days after a district budget meeting when the board, as part of its deficit elimination plan, announced it would eliminate one school resource officer saving the district $80,000.

The two school resources officers, Deputies Randy Krupp and Randy Sehl, host a variety of programs in the district including DARE, anti-bullying, cyber safety and stranger danger among others.

With the money raised to date, which has predominately come from fundraisers and grants, the districts is expected to keep both officers and their programs through Dec. 6, a news release said.

BSP CARES hopes to raise $240,000 during the next three years.¬

“If each family in the district would donate just $29, we would reach our $80,000 goal for the first year,” Mrs. Driehorst said. “While we recognize the difficult financial times many are facing, that’s not a major sacrifice for most families.”

To donate, mail a check payable to BSP CARES to PO Box 216, Lambertville, MI 48144 or donate online through the Bedford Community Foundation website at www.bedfordcommunityfoundation.com.

To stay on top of BSP CARES activity, like and visit http://www.facebook.com/BSPCARES.